A Butler man accused of selling drugs pleaded not guilty Monday at his preliminary hearing, but his charges were waived to county court.

Gilbert R. Gans, 40, will stand trial before a jury on felony and misdemeanor drug charges.

Gans appeared virtually before District Judge William Fullerton. He remains in Butler County Prison in lieu of $100,000 bond.

Butler Patrolman Ryan Doctor testified that police were serving an arrest warrant Feb. 17 for co-defendant Cynthia McCallister for a possible parole violation.

Doctor said Gans was one of multiple people in the home with McCallister at the time of her arrest, and everyone was detained.

McCallister and Gans reportedly had a relationship, according to prosecutors, and shared a bedroom in the apartment.

According to charging documents, police gained a warrant for the room and found a plastic bag containing 24.8 grams of a white substance, which tests revealed to be cocaine.

Police said they also found scales, spoons and other paraphernalia.

Doctor said a handwritten ledger was found containing first names and monetary amounts. He said Gans' email address was in the ledger.

Public defender Michael McFarland, representing Gans, said only a hearsay statement could tie Gans to living in the room, and there wasn't evidence to tie the drugs directly to Gans.

“Outside of that, we have a piece of paper with his name on it,” McFarland said.

Assistant District Attorney Laura Pitchford said the couple had been “dating for quite a while” and others tied Gans to the home. She said there was sufficient evidence to tie Gans to the drugs.

Gans will next appear in the Butler County Court of Common Pleas.